No. 151.] 337 



fattened, their manure, by being enriched by the corn, &c , fed, 

 should likewise be a clear gain. The fodder and trouble must be re- 

 paid by the increased value of the beast. If the value of the food 

 used for stock is found to be balanced by the labor and use of the 

 stock, the manure may then be considered clear gain. 



The value of manures differ, on different soils, so that if 100 farm- 

 ers were to reckon the value of manures used by them on different 

 soils, all using the same kind, very possibly no two of them would 

 agree. 



When pigs are soiled, their manure should always be mixed with 

 that, of the stable or barn-yard, before used, for the reason that it 

 contains a large percentage of nitrogen ized substances, especially 

 when they are fed corn and other cereal grains. If allowed to putri- 

 fy in the pens, it becomes excessively offensive, and if in that state 

 it is applied to esculent roots, it would give them an unpleasant fla- 

 vor. If properly managed, it is a most powerful manure. A gen- 

 tleman formerly residing on Long Island (Mr. Samuel Stevens, de- 

 ceased,) once informed me that he had applied pure Jiog manure to 

 a field of wheat. The grain grew most rapidly, presented a beau- 

 tiful green appearance, and was admired by all who saw it. When 

 it reached the usual heighth of wheat, it was still green, and showed 

 no inclination to form the tassel. It did not cease to grow until it 

 was one-third higher than any wheat grown on his farm before;* at 

 that stage the straw ripened, but hardly yielded a single kernel of 



The excrement not only of the hog, but all animals, differ very 

 materially in value for agricultural purposes. Of the dung of horned 

 animals, I would prefer that made by the ox, to that of young stock, 

 for the reason that the latter require all the phosphate of lime yield- 

 ed them by their food for the formation of their bones, and cows 

 convert the most of their phosphates into milk. The ox requiring 

 but a very small quantity, and none to make fat, enriches his excre- 

 ment with that invaluable substance. If Mr. Stevens had mixed his 

 hog manure with that of the ox, containing phosphate of lime or 

 bone earth, and applied it in less quantities, his wheat would have 

 produced him a large quantity of grain. 



Plants and animals require the same ingredients to induce growth 

 and bring them to maturity. Professor Leibig says, " that caseine, 

 " albumen and fibrine, which have hitherto been considered the pro- 



[Assembly, No. 151.] 22 



